Changing environment, learning new language and new culture,being a wife and a mother, living far away from families and friends, I have come to share my views, thoughts, feelings, ideas on so many things that I cherish.

July 30, 2013

7 Benefits of Raising Bilingual Kids




Being bilingual affords children (and adults) many advantages over the course of their lifetime. Here are seven benefits of raising bilingual kids that have been documented in research and studies.
1.     Bilingual children have a better ability to focus and ignore distractions in the environment. That’s because the part of the brain called the executive function, used for planning, judgment, working memory, problem solving and staying focused on what’s relevant is stronger in bilinguals. Every time you speak, both languages are actually active, and the brain has to work to suppress one language while the other is being used. That mechanism employs the executive function of the brain more regularly in bilinguals and therefore it becomes more efficient. This ability starts very young in bilingual babies.

In a 2009 study, researchers taught monolingual and bilingual babies that when they heard a particular sound, a puppet would appear on one side of a screen. But halfway through the study, researchers switched the puppet so it would appear on the opposite side of the screen. In order to win a reward, the infants had to modify the rule they had initially learned. Interestingly, only the bilingual babies were able to successfully learn the new rule and suppress the previously learned rule, which is similar to what the bilingual brain does when one language is being spoken.
2.     Bilingual kids can switch from one activity to another faster and are better at multitasking than monolinguals. That’s also thanks to the executive function of the brain, giving bilinguals better cognitive control over information that allows them to switch tasks.
3.     Bilinguals have increased mental flexibility and creativity. When you learn there is more than one word for an object, it stretches the mind in new ways and gives children greater mental flexibility and creativity as they have two windows through which they view the world. Russian psychologist Vygotsky stated that “bilingualism frees the mind from the prison of concrete language and phenomena” (Hakuta, 1985).
4.     Bilingual children in dual-immersion schools have been shown in one study to score higher on both verbal and math standardized tests conducted in English.

A study conducted in the Miami-Dade school district of Florida on fourth and fifth grade students from 16 elementary schools showed that bilingual students scored significantly higher in both the verbal and math sections of the Florida standardized test than monolinguals. The bilingual students scored 23 to 34 points more than their monolingual peers in total.
5.     Bilingual children display stronger logic skills and are better equipped than monolinguals at solving certain mental puzzles.

In a 2004 study that confirmed earlier studies, bilingual and monolingual preschoolers were asked to sort blue circles and red squares into two bins on their computer, one with a blue square and the other marked with a red circle. Children were first asked to sort by colour, placing blue circles in the bin for blue squares and red squares in the bin for red circles. Both groups performed this task equally well. But when the children were asked to sort by shape, not colour, the bilinguals performed the task with greater ease than monolinguals. This goes back to the executive function again, and that bilingual children can more easily suppress learning an old rule in favour of a new one.
6.     The advantages of being bilingual carry over throughout your life, as bilingualism alters your brain chemistry, which has been linked to staving off the onset of alzheimer’s.
7.     Did you know once your child knows two languages, it makes her more apt for learning a third? While this is based on scientific research, I can also anecdotally attest to this assertion as my children have been raised bilingual in Arabic and are now learning Spanish. Both of their Spanish teachers have commented that they are amazed by how quickly my kids have been absorbing the language compared to their peers. It is because they are the only kids in the group who are already bilingual.
On days when your bilingual journey seems particularly challenging, just remember you are giving your children a great gift by raising them bilingually. And keep up the good work!


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July 24, 2013

Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

Need a quick, easy, and delicious slow cooker meal? Well, look no further! We had this for dinner the other night and it instantly became a family favorite. I thought that the honey would make it super sweet, but it was the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. It was a big hit with our kids and so easy to throw together- a winning combination in my book! I don’t know what I would
do without my slow cooker!


  Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken


Need a quick, easy, and delicious slow cooker meal? Well, look no further! We had this for dinner the other night and it instantly became a family favorite. I thought that the honey would make it super sweet, but it was the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. It was a big hit with our kids and so easy to throw together- a winning combination in my book! I don’t know what I would do without my slow cooker! - See more at: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html#sthash.dwau6NQ6.dpuf
Need a quick, easy, and delicious slow cooker meal? Well, look no further! We had this for dinner the other night and it instantly became a family favorite. I thought that the honey would make it super sweet, but it was the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. It was a big hit with our kids and so easy to throw together- a winning combination in my book! I don’t know what I would do without my slow cooker! - See more at: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html#sthash.dwau6NQ6.dpuf

Need a quick, easy, and delicious slow cooker meal? Well, look no further! We had this for dinner the other night and it instantly became a family favorite. I thought that the honey would make it super sweet, but it was the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. It was a big hit with our kids and so easy to throw together- a winning combination in my book! I don’t know what I would do without my slow cooker! - See more at: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html#sthash.dwau6NQ6.dpuf


Need a quick, easy, and delicious slow cooker meal? Well, look no further! We had this for dinner the other night and it instantly became a family favorite. I thought that the honey would make it super sweet, but it was the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor. It was a big hit with our kids and so easy to throw together- a winning combination in my book! I don’t know what I would do without my slow cooker! - See more at: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html#sthash.dwau6NQ6.dpuf
Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

This Asian-inspired take on tasty, slow-simmered comfort food is so easy and absolutely delish! Plus, sometimes there’s no time for anything more than setting it and forgetting it. Forgetting it is a little tough when it smells this good, though.
Try this scrumptious honey sesame chicken and keep dinner simple, folks. All you need are a bunch of basic ingredients and a patient sense of smell!



Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken


Yield: Serves 4-5

Ingredients:

6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 4 chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
2 packets minute rice, optional
1/2 tablespoon (or more) sesame seeds
3 scallions, chopped

Directions:

Place chicken in Crock Pot and lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
In a medium bowl, combine onion, garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, oil and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or high for 2 hours.
Remove chicken to a cutting board, leaving sauce. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces; set aside. Prepare rice according to package instructions.
In a small bowl, dissolve 4 teaspoons cornstarch in 1/3 cup water; add to crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Cover and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Add cooked rice to 4 plates, top with chicken and spoon sauce over top. Sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
Enjoy!

Adapted from Six Sisters Stuff

July 02, 2013

July Food Fun

Welcome to Fresh Ideas! The most patriotic month of the year starts off with corn that's knee high by the fourth of July and spectacular fireworks that light up the sky. It's a month for family, fun and fresh fruits and vegetables. Without a doubt, the July harvest makes it so easy to eat healthy!


JULY FOOD FUN

July 4 - Happy Birthday America! - Celebrate Independence Day with a red, white and blue food party. For ideas to create your own signature patriotic menu, read Red, White and Blue Celebration. July is also the month to celebrate National Baked Bean Month. Baked beans are a summer picnic "must have" side dish. 
 
  
National Picnic Month - Yogi Bear was famous for grabbing a "pic-a-nic" basket and enjoying an outside feast. Grab your own picnic basket and head to your favorite park to enjoy an outdoor dining  experience with your family. Keep in mind, blazing hot summer temperatures raise the risk of food-borne illness due to improper food storage. Read Summer Food Safety for tips that will help store your picnic fare for maximum freshness and safety.
  
  
July 14th  - Bastille Day  - France also celebrates their independence in July. Commemorate the day that started of the French Revolution with a French Summer Family Meal that would make Julia Child proud!
  
July 14th also kicks off the last week of the Tour de France bicycle race.  What a perfect time to plan your own family bike riding adventure. Grab some healthy snacks and celebrate France with a little fresh air and cycling fun!
  
 
National Grilling Month -  If you thought grills were just for cooking meat, think again.  Grilled vegetables and fruits are quick, easy-to-prepare and loaded with flavor and nutrition. Many fruits and vegetables are delicious grilled. Try Grilled Asparagus as a side dish to steak, chicken or pork.  Or give Grilled Pineapple a try. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat to finish off a memorable summer meal.  
 

It's July and a great time buy Asian pears, Bartlett pears, blueberries, sweet corn, cucumber, eggplant, figs, garlic, grapes, nectarines, red onions, Valencia oranges, peaches, sweet/bell peppers, plums, potatoes, summer squash, tomatoes and watermelon. 
 
It is also National Blueberry Month: Here are three great ideas to help you celebrate the bluest of blue superfoods.
  1. Stock Up! - Farmer Markets and groceries are offering special deals on fresh blueberries in July so buy now and freeze for later. To freeze blueberries, remove them from the container, spread them out on a baking tray and place in the freezer overnight. The next morning, transfer them to a freezer bag, label and put them in the coldest part of the freezer. For the freshest flavor and texture, wait to wash blueberries until you are ready to use them.
  2. Pick'em Yourself! - Grab the kids and some sturdy containers and head out to the country to a "You Pick" farm and pick your own blueberries. Visiting a local farm is a great way to enjoy a summer day and teach your kids more about how fruits and vegetables are grown.
  3. Juice Up! - Adding some blueberry juice to your family's drink selection will give them an boost of anti-oxidants to strengthen the immune system and keep the body's cells operating at peak performance. A Blueberry Smoothie could be just what your kids need on a hot summer day.
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